The convention appeal

Every person has a subject that he or she finds so fascinating that the mere mention results in conversations that last hours. Unfortunately, these types of conversations also result in friends and family avoiding the subject and rolling their eyes when it comes up. With these types of reactions, the favorite subject becomes something to hide and avoid most of the time, only bringing it out on special occasions when friends and family have built up their tolerances to the subject or are doing a favor for the person for whom the subject brings happiness. Conventions give people a safe place to geek out and enjoy their favorite subjects with other people who are in the same boat. Whether your subject is guns or boats, Disney or comics, hunting or cars, there is a convention for you. While the following comes from experiences at the D23 Expo, the Salt Lake Comic Con and FanX, they are valid reasons for attending the convention that best suits your interests.Panel comments. Wil Wheaton delivered a priceless response to a child who was asking how he dealt with being called a nerd. It is responses like this that make the interactions between celebrities and fans so special at a comic con.A trip down memory lane. For Doctor Who, Disney and other types of fans, it is often hard to find an outlet for their obsessions. People can blog about it, but nothing beats a good conversation about favorite memories involving those fandoms. Smaller panels allow audience members and panelists to share their love for the particular fan subject.No censorship. People censor themselves every day. The most common censorship is the idea that no one should talk religion or politics. Fandoms fall somewhere in between. While a particular fan subject is not likely to ruffle any feathers, it will bore friends and family to tears. At a comic con, no one has to worry about geeking out. Chances are the next conversation will be about a favorite subject. You can talk to anyone, and it’s not weird. It might be weird to randomly talk to someone standing in line to get coffee or at the grocery store, but that is not the case at a convention. It is okay to talk about the guest that people are waiting for, the convention itself, or a favorite fandom. Whether the people are standing in line or seated and waiting for a panel to start, conversation is key to enjoying a convention, and everyone knows it.You are not alone. Perhaps the best thing about conventions is that they bring together people who care about a subject, even if that subject is as diverse as science fiction, fantasy, anime. Everyone who attends the convention has something in common with every other person there. Knowing that you are not alone in your love for a subject may be just enough to get through to the next time you are able to get to a convention to indulge in the subject again.